Metropollutan

Metropollutan

Metropollutan is a wordplay on two words “Metropolitan” and “pollutant”, signifying the idea of a citizen in a city surrounded by pollution.

In the distant future, global warming have desertified Earth. Temperatures are always high and dust storms frequently hit urban cities, forcing its population to adapt. The garment is an imaginative reflection of the clothings that people in this dystopian future wear, referencing elements from desert wear and the clothings from Cyberpunk genre in Science Fiction.

The jumpsuit is the innermost layer of the garment, and is made of a comfortable and breathable fabric which helps the wearer feel cool. The sleeves are made broader to make it more cooling, which can also be buttoned off when a dust storm hits.

The poncho is the next layer, covering half the wearer’s body. This is inspired by the garments worn by desert dwellers. The poncho can be further extended to cover the wearer more if needed.

The outermost layer is the armour, which is used to protect the wearer and to perform functions such as detecting environmental changes, and responding using lights and motion. The armour pieces are also inspired by beetles in the way they are designed and the way they are segmented. For example, the arm pieces look like beetle legs while the shoulder pieces look like antennas. The armour also has an iridescent shine like beetles, which also coincides with cyberpunk aesthetics.

The garment is thus able to allow wearers, the Metropollutans, to adapt to the dusty yet urban environment.

The different parts and their functions:

The hood and the mask helps the wearer to protect their face against dust. When high pollution is detected, the motor moves and the mask comes up to cover the face.

The shoulder pieces are called the “Illumunators” which lights up into bright green light when there is high pollution so as to increase visibility.

The chest and neck piece houses the electronics and helps keep every other armour piece together.

The arm pieces help the wearer to visualise the environmental information in the form of light. The left arm piece responds to pollution changes, where in low pollution, it glows in blue and green, while in high pollution, it glows in pink and purple. The right arm piece responds to temperature changes, where in average temperature, it glows in blue and green, while in higher temperature, it glows in orange and red. These changes notify the wearer of the changes in environment, while also preparing them for the change in the garment pieces’ movements.

Finally, the belt allows the wearer to hold more things as it acts like a utility belt.

How it works

The garment uses Internet of Things (IoT) services to collect, send, and receive data to alter the state of the garment. Data is collected from Air Visuals, a weather data API. The data is sent to Adafruit.io, which stores all the data. The stored data is then sent to microcontrollers, NodeMCU Amica, inside different parts of the garment, controlling different LED strips and servo motors.

As IoT data do not reflect the imagined world’s environment very well, the garment is also controlled by a switch on Adafruit.io which changes the state of the garment. There are two states that works on my garment currently: high pollution and low pollution. On high pollution, the mask will move up to cover the wearer’s mouth, the Illuminator will switch on, and the arm piece colour will turn from blue/green to red/orange; vice versa for low pollution.

Photos of final state:

As I didn’t have the tools (and drive 🙁 ) to continue working on the garment, this is the final state of my work.

Current state: With a piece of armour

Additionally, I’ve worked on the mask and the electronics at home.

Mockups, Sketches:

To make up for the lack of finalised project, I used sketching and mockups to imagine the way the armour pieces look.

Video of Electronics / Interaction:

 

Role and Future Aspiration in Fashion Show

I would remain in the role I was assigned, doing the stage. I wish to do projection for the show, and had discussed with Shah before about it and we think it’s a good idea. I think we can project the quirks of the different garments, like for example, mine could be a desert world, while Fizah’s can be snakes.

The stage design will also include logistics like smoke machine placement, decorations, etc. This should tie in with the theme, but that’s undecided yet.

Circuit Breaker Process Updates

Not much happened. Here are some small scale mockups I made to visualise the pattern to cut on the actual piece:

I used Illustrator to create some patterns. Yet to really test them out properly but I’m planning to trace these out on drafting paper (which I forgot to bring home 🙁 ) and test them instead of testing them on the actual PVC leather first because its EXPENSIVE.

Chest piece
Shoulder piece and mask
belt
Hood and eyepiece
Neckpiece

Here are some progress with the shiny PVC leather:

Hi yes I’m wearing the Mcdonald’s pyjamas

I only managed to make a mask. Put all the electronics on it and it works! Video is on my final post.

Electronics

I documented before but I’ll reiterate.

I used a code that brings info from AirVisuals, an open source API that lets you collect info from the internet.

This code collects the data
This code prints the data out for me to see its values

It works, but as weather is always consistent, the results may not be the most exciting for a fashion show. As such, I created a virtual button on Adafruit.io to toggle the effect from “green” to “red”. Green represents healthier air quality, while red represents dangerous air quality.

Servo motor code
Code for virtual switch to work on my device

Final setup:

More to be done… This is only the main part. The motors will be on the chest piece, and I need 2 more pieces of LED strip for the shoulders.

The LED light here is for the arms, and I also need 1 more piece for the arm.

I already have the materials so I’ll continue working on it over the sem break or even, if I need to continue after sem starts.

Adafruit.io interface showing the values of pollution, temperature, and the switch position

For concept updates and all, see final post.

Week 11 Wearable Tech Updates

Last week, I was drawing this to collect my thoughts and it helped me figure out the logistics of my tech

Last week’s electronics setup:

LED + wifi
Servo + wifi

Last week’s progress:

I managed to complete the jumpsuit with help from Galina for the zippers and connecting the 2 pieces together!

Galina also taught me how to sew button holes which was very fun!!

What’s left for the jump suit is for me to hand sew the buttons, to create button holes for the sleeves, to add front pockets, and belt holding thing. But that’s not my priority now.

This week, I’m working on the cape and armour pieces.

This Week’s Progress: (incomplete as theres more days this week to work on this!)

I was playing with the materials to create the look of desert beetles, but it failed so I will just stick to the pvc without material alterations.

putting pins before heating it to create round bumps but it ended up folding
only heating the PVC creates this effect

Cutting and putting things together: I was experimenting with the materials and turns out its more flimsy than I previously thought. It’s also much thinner than I thought so it doesn’t look as good if it’s single layered. Sewing 2 pieces together makes it look better, which means now I need 2x the amount of PVC ($$$$$$$!!!!!!) but at least I have 1m left of the pink piece which I’m not gonna use as pink contrasts too much with my garment. I’m switching to green instead.

What was previously the neck piece was tested on the shoulder to see how it looks like as a shoulder piece.

I was having a hard time trying to figure out which cloth to use. Using both cloth together with the armour will make the whole look very weird. Too much is going on. Using only 1 cloth and the armour works, but I need to decide which to remove. In the end, I removed the metallic mesh cloth.

The final decision (except the pink parts will now be green)\

I also started sewing the cape piece to make it more frilly / have pleats. So yeah. (no pics tho)

So in conclusion, this week was more of a start of the next phase, and I am more or less confirmed for the entire design and I’m happy with it. I’m gonna continue the cape till I’m happy with it then I’ll start with the armour which is gonna be a pain 🙁 and I need to go buy the PVC also. Hopefully finish this by week 12 end so I can finish the electronics and have time to finish up the small details. And also work with Shah with the fashion runway!!! AHHHH!!!

Oh and also Mayle was working on a PVC vest and I took a pic of the pattern so I can tweak it (thanks Mayle!!!)

it’s actually just a pants pattern but if you drape it over the shoulder it becomes some kind of vest which looks like my chest armour!

My sketch of how I think it will look like:

The perfect vision of my garment

Ok out of topic but I think what helped me a lot was to imagine my concept as an Overwatch character. Anyway, here’s an updated concept:

Concept: nomad from a future dystopia city which is covered in dust from sandstorm due to desertification and global warming. Cyberpunk elements (iridescent armour + tech) to create a sense of urban-ness (because he’s still from a city) and sandy garment to blend with the desert city. A bit of inspiration from beetles also (in terms of their colour and appearance)

ALSO… I’m thinking what if the controller on my belt can control which city to look at. And because different cities have different temperatures and pollution levels, the values will cause the garment to react to it. Hmmm…

More Updates & Electronics

Presentation

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/17-Pvo66K8ttybAE1qZW7n7R4OzupP-roymF4opGizro/edit?usp=sharing

Updates

I would really like to thank Galina for helping me with the sleeves, collars, and the fitting! Also… IT HAZ POCKETS NOW!!! The pockets are really useless for my concept but having them makes the garment looks really whole and useable after the show, AND I LOVE IT! THANK YOU MOTHER GALINA :’))) Without you my garment will be just a floppy beige thing that’ll be thrown to a corner after the show…

Anw, so here are images of the growth of my garment…

It starts from me working on my “final” on my own and….. turns out many things I’m doing is wrong.

Although I got some parts correct, the overall look is quite shabby. I’m ok with it, but turns out it can be much much better.

I went to buy more fabric as I ran out, but then I saw a nicer fabric and it costs $8/m at Gim Joo. I thought I can redo it and do better so I Bought 3m. Came back to school to cut. Lucky Galina spotted that I was cutting it in the wrong direction (not along the grain) so she flipped it for me. After cutting, I went to sew the back and front pieces together, then Galina started teaching everyone on how to work on the sleeves.

I then worked on the other sleeve of the shirt (note: this image may not be the sleeves part cos I didnt document the process :’) )

After finishing the sleeves, the garment looks like this:

So afterwards we worked on the lapels, then the collar. Again, not well documented process, but heres an image of Galina ironing the collar!

nice!

To finish the collar, I have to handstitch the collar and facing so it will be nice and invisible. Galina showed me how to do it and I brought it back to hall to finish it.

Here’s some photos of me looking at the mirror after sewing!

After being happy about the collar, I sew the pants and wore the pieces together:

I m the star in mario games — i forgot who said it

Galina helped me with the fitting afterwards to make sure that I can bend my body with it.

Can’t really see much here, but the fitting is better. The sides are tucked in cos they’re cut and restitched, while the front and back are slack to allow bending

Then, we begin with the pockets. There’s nothing much to see cos I didnt document this also :’)

Now, I’m just left with the zipper and buttons and then I’ll refine the sleeve ends and pants ends and I think I’m done with the garment. Then… the tech part. Which I’m working on right now.

Concept

Ok you see, although my concept have always been revolving around the futuristic cyberpunkish desert, I haven’t really gotten the hang of the exact things I want. So today I clarified it. I also tuned it to fit what I can do and what’s best for a wearable, while also noting that this is a 13 week school project.

Previously, I had an illuminator, respirator, a cape, and sensors on arm that are like armour. Now, I want to make use of the belt and tone down on the components on the garment itself, so I can still impact viewers with the show, make it easy for me, and also stick to the theme.

  • The illuminator now lights up all the time.
  • The temperature and pollution sensors now uses IoT so I dont need actual sensors anymore
  • The mask is the only part that has a motor. This is because motor costs a lot of electricity and very bulky to wear on
  • The belt will now be a piece of armour, and it conceals the utility items (knife, bottle, device)

Code & Electronics

I was playing with OpenWeatherMap API, after Naga recommended it to me. I tried many codes but it doesn’t work and was going to give up. But yesterday, I consulted Zi Feng and we figured out a bit of the code, and I think it was like those kind of moment where you dont look at code for a while and come back and you realised how things work… Yeah… So it worked for me.

So basically, I used the api with the api key and I ran it in arduino and the code will generate the information and pluck out what’s relevant (temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc)

http://api.openweathermap.org/data/2.5/weather?q=singapore,sg&appid=[insertAPIkeyhere]

Then I switched to this other API called Air Visual which has much more information (including pollution)

http://api.airvisual.com/v2/nearest_city?lat=1.3521&lon=103.8198&key=[insertAPIkeyhere]

So after figuring out how API works, I’m able to draw relevant information directly from the website to my NodeMCU wifi module. This means that I don’t even need an external program (eg. Python) to feed my program.

Here it’s taking temperature and humidity

So I’ve decided to use this instead of components so I can lessen the wires and energy. I worked long enough with wifi to have enough faith with it i guess…

So I tried using the data to control servos and LEDs, it worked. But after a while I think the servos burnt out (SORRY ZIFENG I WILL Buy BACK FOR U :((( ) so I needed to plan properly for the power and components.

Photo documentation of code:

Circuit

Prototype main component with servo and LED
Prototype arm component with LED

Electronics Logistics:

  • 3x NodeMCU (ESP8266 wifi modules)
    • Main controller
    • Temperature arm armour
    • Pollution arm armour
    • IF POSSIBLE: 1 more for Device controller
  • 4x 3.7V Lipo batteries (or higher but not more than 5V) 
    • Main NodeMCU + main LED
    • Mask servo motor
    • Temperature arm armour NodeMCU + temperature LED
    • Pollution arm armour NodeMCU + pollution LED
    • IF POSSIBLE: 1 more for Device controller
  • 4x LED strips
    • Main LED (10 bulbs)
    • Shoulders LED (50 bulbs)
    • Temperature LED (20 bulbs)
    • Pollution LED (20 bulbs)
    • IF POSSIBLE: a few bulbs for Device controller
  • 1x servo motor
    • Mask servo
    • IF NEED: another one for mask servo to make it more reliable. (if that’s so, need add 1 more Lipo)

What’s next?

After today’s breakthrough, I’m gonna start getting the necessary stuffs

  • Code for individual electronics
  • Buy whatever’s left that I need
  • Work on final armour pieces
  • Put electronic together
  • Refine garment
  • Test test test! and also charge my batteries.

So for today’s presentation, I’ll show my progress with electronics and my plans.

Wearable Tech updates

Hi so I’m just gonna spam some photos here as a form of update. This is for documentation for myself.

MATERIALS EXPLORATION / RESEARCH

I went online to look at some materials for my armour. I want to find shiny iridescent stuffs cos I can’t get enough of it. I think it’s a weird phase and I hope it works well with my other pieces cos I really don’t know what I want and I’m just winging it with shiny stuffs…

SEE SO MANY COOL STUFFS!!

CLOTHES I BOUGHT:

Duotone Rayon (brown / green): $6/m at 90 Arab Street, Gim Joo Textiles.

Duotone Satin (red / green): $12/m at Chinatown Complex, Yong Zhi Trading.

Duotone polyester (green / yellow): $6/m at 90 Arab Street, Gim Joo Textiles.

Beige cloth (IDK WHAT MATERIAL): $6/m (i think) at Gim Joo also.

So I bought some of those, will keep them as samples and hopefully show my collection of samples sometime!

FOUND COOL BUG. INSPIRING MY CONCEPT!! MORE SHINY STUFFS

 

TRYING DIFFERENT WAYS TO COMPOSE PART 1

Didn’t like it that much. The duotone satin is too feminine and flowy, does not fit the rugged desert jumpsuit look. The rayon is nice on closeup, but from far, it looks like an ugly brown cloth. I didn’t like it. Both don’t combine well also.

COMPOSING PART 2 (digital)

I tried looking at illustrator to help me:

I think solid colours work the best. And I think beige works well.

COMPOSING PART 3

I’m indecisive. I think beige works best though. I’ll run with it first. Meawhile, shiny stuffs bought from Spotlight. $18/m 🙁

BROWN BASE:

   

BEIGE BASE

 

OTHERS (i don’t want to rotate the images anymore, takes too much work cos OSS isn’t that good at portrait photos. So i’ll have them here sideways since I’m more interested in seeing the beige and brown)

I got a lot of feedbacks that this looks StarWars-y, which I think is good and bad. StarWars kind of goes for a space nomad kind oflook?, so it kinda makes sense for my concept to have that element as well. I mean, pretty sure they have similar concept as me. I just didn’t realised it’s similar.

Also, I like shiny cloth as the base. But it’s too soft. As for green, I also really love it, but it does not fit my concept.

PAPER PROTOTYPING: ROUND 1 (pattern tracing)

ROUND 2: better sleeves, torso, copied from Muji shirt that fits me really well

MY FIRST MUSLIN PROTOTYPE IS TOO UGLY TO BE SEEN SO BYE

FIRST TRY WITH SLEEVES!!!

FINISHED FIRST PROPER MUSLIN PROTOTYPE!

 

 

WHAT’S NEXT?

I think too much so I’ll probably ramble if I keep going. I’ll just start on the actual piece this week (WK 8). Next week I’ll start on electronics (WK 9). But before really going into electronics, I still need to plan out the armour pieces so good luck to me ha ha ha. Working on the armour pieces and thinking about electronics will be week 9. Week 10 will really start working on the electronics.

Also, this weekend I’ll go buy more cloth cos I realised I don’t have enough. I may scout for new materials for my body piece cos I’m still not super satisfied with it. So I’ll probably make 2 garments if I find a new material. (lol)

AH ALSO forgot to mention that I’ll think about adding collars and pockets after I’m done with the whole thing since I think it looks really cool la. Also want to add buttons and zippers and interfacing so… IDK MAN… I’M REALLY AMBITIOUS AND THINK LIKE I WANT TO HAVE ALL THESE THINGS BUT I KNOW I CANT HAVE EVERYTHING AND IT KILLS ME INSIDE AHHHH

 

ok bye

 

edit: ok btw im watching some tutorials

and and and… i want to update some new inspos but I think that’s a lot of extra work 😛

But basically…

https://hypebeast.com/2020/1/undercover-fall-winter-2020-menswear-collection-fallen-man-runway-show-presentation-paris-fashion-week

Concept writeup, Sketches, Etc.

Design concept write up

In the future, global warming desertified most lands on Earth. Humans continue to survive in overheated cities that are covered in dust. Humans wear fully-covered suits to adapt to the dusty and hot environment, while using wearable technology to help them detect and react to the changes in environment.

[INSERT COOL NAME HERE] is a jumpsuit that uses modular pieces of wearable technology to adapted to the hot and dusty environment.

The jumpsuit offers a decent protection through the light, breathable fabric and have enlarged sleeves that allow air in. Environment sensors (Envirosensor) are worn on the arm to track the temperature and pollution levels around the user. Other wearable parts will read the sensors’ data and react according to the changes in the environment. This offers the user a functional and stylish way of navigating through this dystopian world.

Design sketch /draft (Rough)

One of my first few sketches
further development
further development + styling
vectorising so I can create the shapes better
turns out to be super ugly so I reverted back to paper
new look with scarf and new design for envirosensor. Note: The colouring is just for me to visualise the separate parts and is not the actual colour of the garment.

This was when my design was starting to take shape. With some more sketches come these:

Did some sketches of body proportions and photocopied many pieces to start mass sketching.

An even earlier sketch, wayyyyy before I changed the form into something less cyberpunk.

One of the few who can survive making it here on OSS HAHAHA its ugly.

After a few rounds of sketches, I came up with this design. Brown main colour, nylon translucent on the areas that will be attached with tech. But I didn’t really like it still.

Colour testing after visiting Chinatown’s fabric shops and discovering some sick materials. I think I’ll visit again as I still don’t like the colours here. This point was also me discovering a new form which includes the ‘winged’ look. Just some extra flabs on the sleeves on the arms and legs. I liked it. Looks futuristic, functional, and isn’t too weird or flashy.

Added some parts to the coloured piece. Still don’t like the form.

One proper drawing of the new design where I smoothed out the flabs so it looks less popping out.

Another sketch to show the different parts. Again, you can see the Illuminator is erased. Here is also where I discovered a new form for the Envirosensors. I didn’t like the puffy parts of the old sensors cos it looked out of place. I basically just took 2 different designs and mashed them together. I took a step back and just use one of the reference instead and got this. On the right side you acn also see me trying to separate both sensors to different forms so they are more intuitive to know. (the wavy striped one is for temperature, while the coral-like one with holes is for pollutant)

Was kinda trying out sketching the new parts, adding colour to just make them come out a bit more. Still don’t like the Illuminators.

Then I went to Jurong Point for my dental appointment….

This magic happened:

My brain just worked. I drew a new figure. Then for the tech, I simplified the whole Illuminator to just perform its original function: To just light up. The envirosensors have a more defined form and looks like something I can make since I can visualise it. I added a cape (which was an idea I kept thinking about) and a hoodie to complete the look. (Thanks to Jannah for suggesting hoodie!)

So far that’s what I have for sketches. I’ll update with more sketches on the tech and more views and colours for the garment. Hopefully I’ll do what I say I’ll do………

How your design is interacting?

  1. Interaction with data: The data from the sensor changes the LED colours, as well as send signals to the other parts to react according to set data
  2. Interaction with user: The mask uses a pressure sensor to fit itself snug onto the user without pushing onto the user too much.
  3. Interaction between parts: From the data, the parts react accordingly.

ELECTRONICS NEEDED:

  • Arduino nano / lilypad x
  • Temperature sensor x1 (optional)
  • Pollution sensor x1 (optional)
  • Humidity sensor x1 (optional)
  • Light sensor x1 (optional)
  • LED strip m
  • conductive thread (many)
  • servo motors x4 or 6
  • buttons x (for simulations)
  • battery packs (9v) x
  • Pressure sensor x1

I’ll work out the individual electronics uses next post.

 


 

Focuses on next few posts:

  1. Tech: All the different parts, sketches, the actual tech I’m gonna use, and choice + purchase + etc., prototypes (maybe)
  2. Material: All the different material choices, colours, links for purchase (or documentations of the locations),
  3. Prototypes: drafting paper to muslin to actual materials. Body measurements. Testing and testing…

Material Research, Updates to concept & Moodboard

I’ve read up on materials to wear on hot and dry weather, which is like the desert. Cotton, Linen and Rayon works well for my concept. Polyester is also a possible choice (conceptually) as it is breathable, although not recommended for “summer weather”.

Looking into nomad dressing, I was also curious why they wear layers and layers of fabric. Turns out, they do this to prevent water-loss. They use light fabric like cotton, that are lighter in colour so as to reflect the sun rays. The layers help them to keep moisture to their body, slowing down the rate of evaporation. Also, covering the body as much as they can helps a lot in keeping cool.


For concept…

I need to type to think, so let me just write freely about my ideas.

New narrative to justify my new style:

In the future, with desertification, cities and citizens adapt. Citizens now dress to protect themselves from the elements while in the city. This makes it necessary for them to have lighting on themselves to self-express and to also allow themselves to be seen. Reflective and holographic clothings makes people stand out more. The need for sensors to help them sense their environment is important as they have to take shelter if it gets too hot or too dusty. There is a need to collect water from the dry air, so some have adaptations that collects moisture from the air as they move. ( https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/11/could-desert-beetle-help-humans-harvest-water-thin-air )

I need to start sketching now cos I keep changing my idea. But at least I’m happy that I’m moving away from the clunky sci-fi ripoff I’ve been doing. I’m so glad that we did the biomimicry exercise!

So here’s my moodboard, again. Updated. Finalised. I’m not gonna update anymore or else I’ll be super stuck.

Jumpsuit — The idea is to have a full-body cover that can protect one from the elements. It has to be light and airy. I’ll wire it up with conductive thread to connect the different pieces together. I’m also making it greyscale so I can focus on the material rather than the colours.

The reason why I want to create different pieces is because I always thought about the feasibility with wearable electronics. If I can’t wash my clothes, then what’s the point of wearing them? Also, I want to keep this jumpsuit after the mod so I can use it hehehehehe so yep.

The respirator will be an organic armour-like piece made with plastic-like material (probably). The reason for plastic is for it to be clean as it’s attached to a mask.

The envirosensor wasn’t much looked into previously as I thought it was going to be just an armguard thing. But I’m very inspired by the Warframe character armour on the left and thought about beetles (and also Golden Experience from JoJo :P). I kept looking and though that it will go well with the airbag looking thing, which I plan on using for the interface.

The illuminator will now be more organic and flowy. Kinda origami-like also. I want to make it blend well with the garment, not stand out too much. It should look like it’s part of the garment.

The armour is a last-minute add-on, which I think I won’t have time to do, but Ill still put it here. It’s basically a geometric, plated outer covering for the jumpsuit. Was thinking the tech for this will be for temperature : if it’s too warm, it will open up. But it’s too much to handle for me so I’ll probably not touch it.

I was previously confused with this. I wanted my garment to have holographic-like properties, but I don’t know how to apply them. After looking at beetles, I realised their wings look like this material. So I think I will have this material as a cape. I will also try to apply this biomimicry x tech idea where you can add bumps to the surface of a hydrophobic material, and then coat the tip with a hydrophilic material to make it able to collect dew from fog. This works for my desert concept as people need water.

OKAY. So for now, enough with research. I have enough materials to justify my project, and I need to spend more time moving forward. Tomorrow and the next few days, I’ll go out to look at materials and prototype. I’ll also sketch more throughout the days.

AH UPDATE: ACTUALLY MAY NEED TO THINK ABOUT HAT AND EYEWEAR BUT SEE HOW……… :’)

Sources:

Beetles:

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2016/apr/10/environmental-engineering-biomimicry-tapping-into-nature-business-water-soil-drought

https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/11/could-desert-beetle-help-humans-harvest-water-thin-air

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/02/160224150731.htm

https://www.desertmuseum.org/books/nhsd_beetles.php

https://permaculturenews.org/2017/02/28/harvesting-water-inspired-darkling-beetle/

Collecting fog:

https://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/18/africa/fog-catchers-morocco/index.html

https://www.theverge.com/2018/6/8/17441496/fog-harvesting-water-scarcity-environment-crisis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog_collection

Desertwear:

Desert Travel and Survival

Clothings:

https://www.mariefranceasia.com/health/healthy-practices/wellbeing-tips/6-cooling-fabrics-hot-days-248941.html#item=1

Breathable Fabrics to Wear in Hot Weather

 

 

Research Critique I : Biomimicry

Biomimicry in Fashion sees a future of clothings where it is not about machine-human hybrid (aka cyborgs) but about reconnecting with nature, which can be much more sustainable and beautiful. As fashion is the second most polluting industry on the planet (after oil industry), biomimicry is also getting recognition from luxury brands that are trying to find ways to be more environmentally friendly.

Here are some of my own hand-picked examples of biomimicry that I think fits well with the class!

PROSTHETICS

 

This tentacle-like prosthetics is simple and functional, making it an inexpensive and easy-to-use alternative to prosthetics. It serves the basic function of gripping, which is effective. Another take on this design is the Vine Arm, which is more about the aesthetics and users’ self expression rather than its function.

“I want to change the way society perceives disability – showing disability can be cool, fashionable, beautiful and powerful… it’s like my body is a canvas and when wearing an Alternative Limb, I become the art” – Kelly Knox

MATERIAL

Bolt Thread is a materials innovation company that uses biomimicry to create sustainable threads used in garments.

Mylo™ is a material made from mycelium where the team carefully control the mycelium’s growth conditions to produce a mycelial mat that can be cured and tanned into a soft, supple material that looks and feels like leather.

FASHUN

THE UNSEEN – Air

This garment is inspired by the way chameleon uses their skin to react to their environment. The garment changes based on environmental factors around the wearer, including temperatures, UV rays, wind, humidity, pollution.

SOME THOUGHTS…

After reading up and looking at examples, I realised how we forget nature as a source of inspiration rather than other existing products out there that we are just rehashing over and over again. Nature is incredible, and it is something that we need to remind ourselves when coming up with projects in future.

“Future bio-infused garments will become the second layer of skin, almost like a protective mesh that reacts through form and space, as dictated by the changing environmental conditions and even the social surroundings…”

This quote kinda inspired me to think further for my project. What if tech in the future isn’t like what people used to imagine, but more organic and bound to our bodies like a second skin? I will keep this in mind.

Sources:

Prosthetic Tentacle Appendages Are The Future

 

Fashion Biomimicry Through The Lenses Of Biotechnology, Nanotech And Artificial Intelligence

http://www.lookforward-blog.com/biomimicry-in-fashion/?lang=en

https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/sustainable-fashion-blog/nature-fabrics-fashion-industry-biomimicry

https://www.eco-business.com/news/young-asian-designers-create-unconventional-air-cleaners-electrolux-contest/

Innovative Materials Used In The Fashion Industry

http://www.casualprofanity.com/fluid-dress

The Unseen, Air

THE UNSEEN develops wind reactive ink that changes color upon contact with air

Moodboard (Updated!)

Update: After biomimicry research critique, I kinda wanna change some of the elements in my design to make them more sustainable rather than just copying a certain retro-futuristic style (even though I love it).

Also: I REALISED I NEVER EDIT THE KEYWORDS PART SO IM GONNA WORK ON THAT.